What is one right that patients have regarding their PHI under HITECH?

The right that patients have regarding their Protected Health Information (PHI) under the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act specifically relates to their ability to request TPO (treatment, payment, and healthcare operations) disclosures of PHI that is stored in an Electronic Health Record (EHR) for a specified period, which is three years in this context. This right empowers patients to understand how their health information has been shared and to whom it has been disclosed for these purposes.

This provision enhances patient engagement and awareness while promoting greater transparency around the handling of their health information. By allowing patients access to a history of how their PHI has been used within the framework of treatment, payment, and the operational aspects of healthcare, HITECH supports the broader goals of patient rights and privacy under HIPAA.

The other options reflect misconceptions or unrealistic expectations regarding patient rights and the management of PHI. For instance, the ability to access any health information at any time does not align with operational realities or restrictions based on certain circumstances. Similarly, limiting PHI disclosures solely to non-service providers overlooks the necessary sharing of information for effective healthcare delivery and coordination. Lastly, the expectation that all medical records must be destroyed after treatment conflicts with